Bridge to Excellence
Conference 2026
The Bridge to Excellence Conference returns on April 14, 2026, bringing together nonprofit leaders, professionals, and community stakeholders for a full day of learning, connection, and growth. Hosted by the Center for Nonprofit Excellence of Middle Tennessee at The Westin Nashville, this premier event will feature dynamic keynote speakers, interactive workshops, and meaningful networking opportunities. Designed to inspire and equip attendees, the conference provides tools and strategies to help elevate organizations and expand their impact in the community. Stay tuned for more details!
Registration is now open – RESERVE YOUR SPOT.
Early Bird Pricing ends February 28th.
Make it a fun time downtown and book a room the night of April 13th at The Westin no later than March 12th. Book your discounted room for the conference HERE.
Bridge to Excellence 2026 Keynote Speaker
Joan Garry is an internationally recognized champion for the nonprofit sector and a highly sought-after executive coach for CEOs of some of the nation’s largest orgs. An author, blogger, and founder of the Nonprofit Leadership Lab, Joan has helped hundreds of thousands of nonprofit board and staff leaders become five star managers, communicators and the inspiring ambassadors their organization need and deserve.
Sponsorship Opportunities
Don’t miss out on the Bridge to Excellence Conference. On this exciting, high-energy day, nonprofit leaders, experts, and innovators come together to ignite collaboration, spark growth, and drive impactful change!
Interested in sponsoring? Email Meagan at meagan@cnemt.org.
Partner with Us to Inspire Excellence and Drive Impact.
Vendor Opportunities
Interested in a vendor booth for the conference to showcase your organization or business to hundreds of attendees? Nonprofit decision makers will be looking for tools and solutions to strengthen their work during the conference.
You receive two tickets to the conference which includes lunch as well as the closing reception in addition to a booth in the main area of the conference throughout the day!
Vendor Booth pricing – Purchase booth here
- Early Bird Member Price through Feb 28: $500
- Early Bird Non-Member Price through Feb 28: $1000
- Standard Member Price Mar 1 – Mar 31: $750
- Standard Non-Member Price Mar 1 – Mar 31: $1250
Featured fireside chat for the opening session
Sarah Saadian joined then National Council of Nonprofits, as the Senior Vice President, Public Policy and Campaigns after serving as Senior Vice President of Public Policy and Field Organizing for the National Low Income Housing Coalition. Sarah has more than fifteen years of experience with national campaigns and successfully advancing federal policies on Capitol Hill. Prior to joining NLIHC, Sarah worked as a senior analyst at Enterprise Community Partners and as policy counsel at Rapoza Associates. She graduated from the University of Connecticut School of Law after receiving her bachelor’s degree from the University of Virginia, and is a member of the Virginia State Bar.
Breakout Sessions
In addition, attendees have the opportunity to participate in 24 breakout sessions, covering a wide range of topics and presented by expert speakers in their fields. Whether attendees are interested in leadership development, innovative solutions, or industry-specific insights, there is something for everyone. Registrants can choose up to four breakout sessions to attend, tailoring the experience to best suit their needs and professional goals.
Thank you, Sponsors
Honoring the Legacy: Reflecting on the History and Impact of Bridge to Excellence
The Bridge to Excellence program has a rich history of supporting and elevating nonprofit organizations in Middle Tennessee, and it’s important to reflect on the success and impact of past events. Over the years, the program has hosted a series of transformative conferences and workshops that have helped nonprofits strengthen their operations, improve leadership, and foster deeper community connections. These events have provided a platform for sharing best practices, learning from industry experts, and building lasting relationships that continue to shape the nonprofit sector today. As we look forward to the Bridge to Excellence Conference 2026, it’s a great opportunity to remind ourselves of the valuable lessons and progress made in previous years and to build on that legacy of collaboration, growth, and positive change.